Disclaimer: I own nothing...except for...well, I don't really own much, put it that way. I do own the jacket that the visitor's wearing though. It's rather original.

Replies:

Staticrhubarb: Fine. FINE! Your poking worked! I'm usually on the giving end of a poke, not the receiving one! Pokes.

Dolly.the.sheep: Mickey's alright, I guess, but I don't think much of his character, that's all. Each to his/her own, I suppose! And...well, you'll find out more about this visitor in the nexct couple of chapters.

Hannah: Here you are. :D You find out! Keep reading for more about him/her/it!

Ryalin: It was, wasn't it? Hehe...ooh, I love having you all in my clutches. Hopefully this'll satisfy you. Maybe.

Hanging.by.a.moment: Ah, but I assumed you liked hanging:P Sorry about this...another cliffhanger at the end of this 'un. Though not as bad.

HarpyQueens: I've considered it. I want you to know that I really have considered it, and this is the outcome: Read on!

ShrinkingVioletGirl: Hehe. You waited, and you shall now receive.

Jessa: You try hunting me down, kiddo, and I'll just escape in my Time Machine. But I've updated so you have no reason to kill me.

A/N: Here. The much awaited chapter. It was rather a surprise to see how many people were actually reading this, but keep going, my pretties! The more of you there are, the more I write. I thrive on encouragement...:D. And also on people being desperate to know more. POWER! Hopefully this'll satisfy you...although there's another cliffhanger at the end. That's all for now folks, but I expect I'll update at some point tomorrow.

Dedication: This one's dedicated to my Mother. It just is.

Moving On

Recognition?

It didn't matter though. To Rose, nothing could have mattered at that moment. Running forwards, she threw her arms around the visitor, much to the surprise of everyone else...and also to him. A few seconds later, she was thrown backwards and only managed to regain her balance at the last moment.

"Who the hell is this?" came a drawling voice, and, as the lights faded behind him, the American descended the steps. "I thought we weren't allowing members of the public to see me. Although...she is rather sexy, I'll have to admit that!"

Yvette, who had almost dropped the microphone when Rose had started forward, had now once again gained control and had managed to switch the microphone back on. "This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is Captain Harkness!"

There was a round of applause, and Yvette stepped forwards and grabbed Rose by the back of the collar. "What do you think you're doing, child? I know he's got an appointment with you, but it's about discussing a new project, not for finding yourself a boyfriend!"

"No, no, you don't understand," Rose started, feeling utterly ashamed of herself. "I know him, I know...or, I knew him. Captain Jack. He travelled with me and the Doctor..."

"Captain Jack? Kid, I never met him, but if he's as good looking as me, we'd better get an appointment ready. And I've never travelled with the Doctor in my life – although I'd like to."

"This," Yvette announced, stepping round behind Rose and bringing the Captain into Rose's view, "is Captain Zack Harkness."

"Captain Zack?" Rose looked puzzled for a moment, but her face fell as she remembered. "Of course, Captain Jack...Captain Zack. This is..." She suddenly realised that she was being stared at by both her boss and by the Captain. "I mean, nice to meet you, Captain. Sorry – I confused you with someone else...he looks...almost the same."

This was greeted with a grin and a conspicuous wink. "So, you're Rose then? Should be interesting, working on this project with you, Rose. I mean, it's not much, just improving deceleration rates of alien objects...you know what it's like when they hurtle towards planets, but...still...things should be...interesting..."

"Oh, Zack, darling!" fluttered Yvette as she jumped clear of Captain Zack's free hand which was wandering rather freely behind her. "Zack, we must get you a coffee...chop chop. And then Rose can take you upstairs. She's working in the lab at the moment...is that right?"

"Yeah, but I'll only be a minute," Rose nodded. "We'll stop there on the way, I'll just put the stuff away, but we can head over to my office a bit later."

"Very well," Yvette agreed. "Coffee first though." Snapping her fingers, she commanded the receptionist to bring steaming mugs of coffee for the three of them. Just as they were being handed out, Mickey strolled up, still carrying the gun.

"Ricky, is it?" Yvette greeted him, one eyebrow raised in a quizzical arch. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like you to come with me."

"Sure, that's fine," Mickey replied, "And...it's Mickey."

"Mickey," Yvette responded. "Very well...just step this way. Rose, you lead the Captain upstairs."

As the two of them made their way into the lift, Rose took the opportunity to study Captain Zack. He had the same handsome face, prominent jawline and good figure, and was wearing black trousers and a leather jacket with an American flag sewn on the back. Just as the lift doors closed, the Captain began to speak in an urgent voice.

"Rose...are these lifts bugged?"

"You mean...as in...people listening in?" Rose replied. "No, don't think so, why?"

"There's something I've gotta tell you, quickly..."

The lift doors opened, and the Captain shook his head and made for the exit. "Not now. Get to the lab, and we can head into your office."

"Right," Rose replied, slightly confused. "I'll only be a second. You wait here. I'm afraid it's authorised personnel only in here."

Zack nodded and took his post by the door. "Fine, but hurry."

Rose frowned and pushed open the door, letting it close firmly behind her, taking a deep breath as she entered to calm her nerves after the shock they'd received.

Little did she know that she'd just taken a very deep breath of carbon monoxide.